Veterinarian Salary in Erie, PA: $130,546 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Erie, PA earns a median $130,546/year (≈ $62.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Erie's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $143,536 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Erie, Pennsylvania, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $130,546, which represents a slight decrease of 4.94% compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this profession in the area varies significantly, with the lower 10th percentile earning approximately $77,280 and the top 90th percentile reaching around $179,283. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlight the dynamic nature of veterinarian pay in Erie. With an annual growth rate predicted at 5.56% over the next five years, the job market for veterinarians appears robust, suggesting a steady demand for veterinary services in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,280 | $37.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,388 | $50.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,546 | $62.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,458 | $80.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,283 | $86.19 |
Median Salary Position
4.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, PA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,003 (2026 est.). At $130,546, the local median is 4.94% below the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be above the median
How Erie Veterinarian Pay Compares
Erie median: $130,546/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $138,290 | -5.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -4.94% less |
Veterinarians in Erie, PA earn a median of $130,546 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.94% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $138,290.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, PA has a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $130,546 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,536 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,170
2025 BLS Actual
$123,670
2026 Current Est.
$130,546
2019–2027 Growth
+67.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,546 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,804 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 50.5% from $82,170 (2019) to $123,670 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,804 by 2027 — a total increase of $55,634 (67.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $77,280 – $104,388 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,388 – $130,546 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,546 – $166,458 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,458 – $179,283 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Erie
As of 2026, Erie employs about 70 veterinarians across various practice settings. The cost of living index for the area is approximately 90.95, indicating a lower living expense compared to the national average, which can enhance the take-home purchasing power for these professionals. Among various employers, corporate veterinary chains such as VCA and BluePearl typically offer the highest salaries, capturing roughly 25% of the local market, while independent practices may provide more flexible work environments and potential equity stakes. Factors that influence the disparity in compensation levels include board certification, production-based compensation models, and the typical pay structures of corporate versus independent practices. For veterinarians looking to maximize their earnings in Erie, pursuing specialty certifications or considering ownership in their own practices could lead to substantially higher financial rewards, especially in an evolving market shaped by ongoing corporate consolidation trends.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM
Career Analyst
Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $123,670 for veterinariansin the Erie metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov